Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua has blamed agencies facilitating the traveling of Kenyans to Saudi Arabia to seek jobs.
Mutua, who has been on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, said there is massive corruption in the way Kenyans are prepared before they leave to be domestic workers in Saudi Arabia
"Listening to the victims, agents, Kenya Government officials, and Saudi Government officials, it is clear that the problems facing some of our people start back home in Kenya. The system is flawed and corrupt and unless it’s fixed, nothing will change.
"There is massive corruption in the way Kenyans are prepared before they leave to be domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and follow up of Kenyans when they arrive. This is a major concern to all of us, including the Government of Saudi Arabia," he said in a statement.
He said the government of Kenya will have to deal with 'cartels' who are operating the agencies.
"We have to break the cartels and streamline the agencies, some of which are owned by prominent Kenyans. We have agreed to work on a modality to get Kenyan Labour agencies to have offices in Saudi Arabia to deal with issues concerning their clients.
"We will, in collaboration with the Saudi Government, flush out illegal agencies and also blacklist agencies that do not perform as per the law.
"The rights of all workers, as enshrined in the laws of Saudi Arabia and Kenya will be enforced. We have also agreed to ensure compliance by agents and others when it comes to the provision of healthcare to Kenyans, including those who are in the country illegally," he stated.
Travel guidelines for Kenyans
He said his ministry will issue new guidelines that will guide the traveling of domestic workers to Gulf countries beginning Monday, November 7, 2022.
"To this end, as an immediate short-term venture, we’ll be issuing new procedures which will have to be followed before we grant clearance for any Kenyan to travel as a domestic worker to any country.
"Kenyan immigration officers will also not allow Kenyans to travel out of the country as domestic workers without fulfilling the set requirements starting on Monday, 7th November, 2022.
"We have set up a joint Technical Team of Kenya and Saudi Arabia Government officials to fast-track Labour issues including the issue of exit visas. They start their work two weeks from today on November 17th, 2022," he added.
